The US Defence Department has cancelled a planned deployment of 4,000 American troops to Poland, a last-minute decision by Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that surprised Pentagon staff and European allies, POLITICO reported.
The reason for the order was not immediately clear, according to officials familiar with the matter. The move comes as US President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticised European allies over their stance on the war with Iran, although he has previously described Poland as a “model ally” because of its high defence spending. Reuters also reported the cancellation, citing US officials.
The decision was particularly unexpected because troops and equipment had already begun arriving in Poland. The 4,000 soldiers, based in Texas, had been preparing to leave for a scheduled nine-month rotation involving training with NATO allies.
The cancellation prompted renewed concern in European capitals and inside the Pentagon that abrupt changes to US deployments could weaken deterrence against Russia and raise questions over Washington’s commitment to NATO’s eastern flank.
“We had no idea this was coming,” one US official told POLITICO, adding that American and European officials had spent the previous 24 hours trying to understand the decision and whether further surprises could follow.
Wider drawdown in Europe
The move follows Hegseth’s announcement earlier this month that the Pentagon would withdraw 5,000 troops from bases in Germany. That decision came after Trump had threatened such a step following remarks by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said the US had been “humiliated” by the conflict in Iran.
The cancellation of the Poland rotation is unusual because US troops stationed in Europe are considered a key part of NATO’s deterrence posture against Russia. Defence News reported that the deployment involved the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division and that some equipment was already in transit.
Trump has insisted that Europe should take greater responsibility for its own defence, while also criticising allies over their opposition to the US position on Iran. POLITICO said the latest order suggests the White House is determined to reduce the American military presence on the continent.
Retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, a former commander of US Army Europe, said the role of the US military presence in Europe was to deter Russia, protect American strategic interests and reassure allies.
“And now a very important element that was supposed to be part of that deterrence has disappeared,” Hodges said.
Pentagon denies last-minute decision
The Pentagon defended the move, describing it as the result of a detailed review process.
“The decision to withdraw troops follows a comprehensive, multi-layered process that includes input from key leaders within US Army Europe and throughout the chain of command,” acting Pentagon press secretary Joel Valdez said. “It was not a sudden, last-minute decision.”
The White House did not respond to POLITICO’s request for comment.
The broader US strategy remains unclear. The planned withdrawal from Germany is still being worked through, according to US officials cited by POLITICO. Although the move represents a relatively small reduction in the 38,000 US troops stationed in Germany, it has been interpreted by allies as a political signal from Washington.
Hodges said Poland had not publicly criticised Trump and had done what Washington has asked of NATO allies.
“The Poles certainly have never criticised President Trump and they are doing what good allies are supposed to do,” he said. “And yet, this is happening.”
Polish officials have sought either to defend the decision or play down its impact. Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the issue “does not concern Poland” directly and was linked to the previously announced redeployment of part of US military forces in Europe.
Poland is among NATO’s highest-spending members, with defence expenditure expected to rise to 4.7% of GDP this year, the highest level in the alliance. Recent polling has also shown that a majority of Poles support the presence of a US military base on Polish territory.
Source: Politico
